Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the Deputy Spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has requested temporary release from custody following the death of his wife, Edith Mufumbiro Katende.
Speaking after visiting Mufumbiro in prison, NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya described the situation as “deeply heartbreaking,” noting that Mufumbiro is devastated by his loss and distraught that he could not be by his wife’s side in her final moments.
According to Rubongoya and family representative Kato Mufumbiro, Mufumbiro has been held in custody despite maintaining his innocence. They allege that his detention is politically motivated.
“This is all to weaken the opposition. Mufumbiro was never at Kavule on February 12, 2025, nor did he attend that birthday parade,” Rubongoya stated.
The opposition insists that Mufumbiro was not present at the scene of the alleged offense for which he was arrested, claiming instead that he was attending to his wife at a cancer treatment facility at the time.
Mufumbiro, who reportedly contested for the Nakawa East parliamentary seat, has been denied bail multiple times. His legal team has now appealed to the Chief Justice, requesting at minimum a temporary release to allow him to attend his wife’s burial.
NUP leaders argue that denying this request would further highlight what they describe as a pattern of injustice against opposition figures. They are urging authorities to act on “humanitarian grounds” and permit Mufumbiro to give his wife a dignified send-off.